Medieval Ever After (92 page)

Maddie knew her husband loved her. But what would happen two years from now when she was still barren? How could he love someone who could not give him a son?

But she simply smiled at him and said, “I am happy. I am just eager for us to have a bairn of our own. You would be such a wonderful father.”

“It has only been a short time. I know many couples who do not have bairns until their second or third year of marriage. Give it time.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her, seeming to sense her continued ill ease.

Then she stood and said, “Aye, you must be right. Let us go back. I am better now.” They trudged their way up the hill hand in hand. Perhaps she would speak with Alice to see if there was something else she could do to help her get with child. She loved the wee ones in the clan much. Watching them grow was so fulfilling. Was it too much to want to have her own bairn with Alex? She would love to have a wee laddie who looked just like his father.

Then she remembered the vision she had seen of her mother on her wedding night. Her mother had said that she could not wait to see Maddie’s bairns with Alex. Did that mean they would eventually have one—or maybe even more than one? She hoped so.

Maddie vowed to keep saying her prayers.

RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

A few months later…

Maddie could barely
get herself out of bed. It was late. She didn’t know why she felt so tired lately. She pulled on a clean gown and made her way down the stairs to the hall. She found Alice eating at a table, so she trudged over and sat down.

“Good morn to you, Alice.”

Alice turned to Maddie. “Oh, my dear, you do not look well. In fact, you look a little green. Are you all right this morning? Mayhap you should stay in bed.”

Fiona came out and set a bowl of porridge in front of Maddie. “Sorry, my lady, but this porridge has been sitting awhile. Mayhap you would prefer a piece of fruit or an egg?”

Maddie took one look at the porridge and ran for the door, her hand covering her mouth. As soon as she opened the door, she vomited, just missing her husband’s boots.

“Maddie,” he exclaimed. “What is wrong with you, lass? You slept away yesterday and half of today, and now you are retching. Get yourself back to bed.” Alice walked up to them with a smile on her face, and when Alex saw her expression, he started fuming. “Excuse me, Alice, but I do not think my wife’s illness is amusing!”

Alice laughed. “I do not think it amusing, Laird, but joyous. My guess is that your wife is with child. Maddie, how long has it been since your courses?”

When Maddie stopped heaving, she stared at Alice first, then Alex. “Oh, my goodness, do you think ‘tis possible, Alice? It has been at least a …” Maddie’s face lit up as she counted with her fingers.

“Congratulations, Madeline. I think you and your husband will have a bairn in about eight months!”

Maddie threw her arms around her husband. She was so happy, she cried out, “Oh, I love you, Alex Grant!”

Alex was speechless.

RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

About eight months later…

Madeline waddled over
to the hearth. Alex was working in the lists somewhere with his men. It was almost time for the evening meal, but she was worn out. She aimed for their favorite chair, the extra large one that Alex had ordered to accommodate both of them. After all these months, he still preferred to sit with Madeline on his lap. Of course, he preferred to sit with his hands wrapped around her belly, so Madeline thought it was probably just because he liked to feel their bairn kicking.

She sighed deep as she positioned herself in the chair. Alex was always thoughtful, considerate, compassionate—and passionate, although that part of their lives was becoming more and more difficult. A smile crept across her face as she thought of how inventive her husband had become as a lover. He had promised her all along there were other ways to make love, and he had proven to her that he was right. She closed her eyes to rest for a minute.

Much later, Maddie awoke to the noise of the men entering the great hall. A pair of strong arms lifted her and she gazed at her big husband with a smile as he settled her on his lap.

“You are tired today, sweeting?” he asked as he kissed her full on the mouth.

“Just a bit, husband. You know we won’t be able to fit on your lap much longer. It is time for your son to come out.”

“When our wee lass is ready to come out, she will. Although I understand why you are anxious to hold our bairn in your arms,” he said, mindlessly caressing her belly.

Maddie sat up and attempted to lean her head down toward her belly, “Get out, laddie! It is time to come out now. Listen to your mama and get out. Or your papa will paddle you!”

Alex chuckled as he caressed her shoulder, but Jennie darted and said, “You will not paddle the laddie, Alex. I will protect him like you protect me.”

“You mean you will protect the lassie, Jennie. You know it is a lass in my wife’s belly,” he teased her.

Maddie leaned back against her husband and closed her eyes. She was so comfortable that she slipped into sleep in a matter of minutes.

***

“She sleeps much lately, Alex, she must be near her time,” Brenna said as she entered the room.

Jennie whispered, “Alex, some of my friends told me it hurts to have a bairn. Is it going to hurt Maddie?”

“It may hurt a wee bit, but my Madeline is a strong lass. She can handle it, little squirrel. She will not make a sound.” Alex thought about all the pain Madeline had tolerated in her life. He had no doubt that she could handle this. He knew she would never scream. Good thing, as he would not be able to handle it if his gentle wife did scream.

“Alex, stop calling me ‘little squirrel.’ I am a big lass now.”

Just then, Madeline sat up straight, clutching her belly. “Oh my!” was all she said.

“What’s wrong?” asked Jennie.

“Och, it must be nothing,” Maddie answered. “It has stopped now.” She leaned back against her husband and closed her eyes again.

Several minutes later, Madeline bolted up again with a confused expression on her face. She clutched her belly again but said nothing.

Brenna stared at her, concern evident on her face. She knew her sister-in-law had a very high pain tolerance. “Maddie, are those birthing pains you are having?”

Maddie peered at Brenna. “I do not think so, Brenna, but I am not sure.”

Alex jumped out of the chair, still cradling his wife in his arms. “You are having the bairn, Maddie?”

“Set me down, Alex! I am not going to have the bairn right here. It takes a while to have a bairn.”

A warm rush of water ran down her leg as soon as he set her down. She stood back and looked at the clear fluid on the floor. “Mayhap I am ready to have the bairn,” she said quietly as she peeked up at all the faces staring at her. Brenna had warned them this would be a sign.

Alex promptly scooped her up and charged up the stairs to their chamber. Brenna followed after sending Jennie to fetch Alice and Fiona. As soon as Alex reached their chamber, he turned around and stared at Brenna with a perplexed expression on his face.

“What do I do now?”

Brenna smiled a little and said, “Set her down here, Alex. We still have to prepare the bed.” He did not—he did not wish to be away from her for even a moment.

Fiona and another maid flew into the chamber with hot water and extra linens. Then they hurried down the stairs to get more supplies just as Alice was hurrying them up.

When Madeline clutched her belly again in pain, Alice said, “Alex, take yourself back down to the great hall. A birthing room is no place for a man. We will take care of your wife.”

Alex finally set Maddie down and kissed her forehead. He stared at her for a minute, wanting to tell her he loved her, but there were too many people around. He knew now that he had loved Maddie almost from the first moment he had seen her. Only it had taken him a while to figure out what he was feeling. But now he knew how strong his love was for her. She was the center of his life. He could not bear to think about losing her.

“Go, Alex!” Brenna interrupted his thoughts. “Who knows how much time we have? Usually, the first bairn takes a long time, but no one knows for sure.”

Alex glanced wistfully at his wife, but he turned around and headed down the stairs. When he reached the great hall, Robbie and Brodie soon joined him there.

“What is the cause of the long face, brother?” asked Brodie.

Alex turned and plopped into his favorite chair. “Maddie’s time is here. She is in our chamber having the bairn.”

“Time for a celebration, Brodie! Get this man ale,” Robbie cried out to a nearby maid.

His brothers then sauntered over to him and slapped him on the back, “Time to be a papa, big brother,” Brodie said with a chuckle.

Alex glared at his brothers, then jumped out of the chair and started pacing. “I know my Maddie will be safe; she is a strong lass.”

“Absolutely,” Robbie said.

“She is the strongest lass I have ever known. She will be fine.” Alex turned and paced in the other direction.

“I agree completely, brother,” Brodie called out as he downed his ale. Both were in such obvious good spirits, but it did little to dampen his worry. To make matters worse, more people had gathered into the hall.